Chapter 100 (END) - Saying Goodbye (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Two springs passed. Zhang Jun was now a third-year senior facing his college entrance exam.

Two months away from the exam, all third-year seniors retired from the team. It was time to say goodbye regardless of whether they were going to take the college entrance exam.

After three consecutive English lessons, Zhang Jun felt dizzy and decided to go for a walk. The third-year teaching building was desolate and few people walked the corridors. He walked down the stairs to avoid bumping into his boisterous classmates. The corridor that was usually dirty was also cleaner than usual.

Although he only wanted to go for a stroll, his feet took him to the soccer pitch. Zhang Jun shook his head and gave a wry smile. The force of habit was truly powerful.

Zhang Jun looked for an inconspicuous corner to sit down and watch the team train.

Lin Xiaofang had already taken over Yang Pan’s captain armband. He was definitely capable. In the third-year qualifying match, he had won the best defender award. His progress was quick in the past two years. Now, if Liang Ke was too busy to come, Lin Xiaofang would take up the role of coach. He had an air of captaincy about him.

Zhang Jun could not help but laugh when he recalled what Lin Xiaofang was like when he first joined the team.

The team had also matured. They were no longer the ‘lame team’ which had to rely on a few outstanding members to win a match. Wang Ning’s long shots, Lin Xiaofang’s headers, Chen Bo’s assists as well as the first year, Weng Ge. Even though Weng Ge was a substitute for his position during his third year, he would score every time he went on the pitch. Liang Ke’s knack in guiding newcomers were not false praises: they would be able to continue Shu Guang’s brilliance.

When the new team matures, it was time for the old team to break up.

Three days ago at the Luoyang airport.

“Are you really leaving?” Zhang Jun held Kaka’s shoulder and shouted. “Is not going not an option? Let us continue playing soccer together!”

Kaka gave a silent but wry smile.

Yang Pan pulled Zhang Jun away from Kaka. “When you return to Brazil, do not forget to contact us.”

“I won’t forget. You guys will forever be my friends! An Ke. I am truly sorry that I cannot see you off.”

An Ke shook his head and smiled. He then hugged Kaka. “Take care. Have a safe trip!”

“Ren Yu De, are you really not going to play soccer anymore?”

“I can’t. My body…” Ren Yu De pointed at his chest. “My father wanted me to take over his class. I even gave up my college entrance exam…”

“You won’t pass it anyway!”

Ren Yu De shot An Ke a stare and continued. “I want to mend things with my father as well.”

“Everybody has their own aspirations. However, I still find that it is a pity. If you bring your skills to Brazil, I am sure you would not lose to anyone.” Kaka merely shrugged.

Kaka then turned to Su Fei and held out his hands. Su Fei went up to him graciously to hug him goodbye. An Ke looked away and clenched his teeth.

“Su Fei. If Zhang Jun bullies you, give me a call. Even if I have to swim, I will swim across the Pacific Ocean to avenge you!”

Su Fei laughed. “You must also put in more effort. You are so handsome and yet you still do not have a girlfriend!”

Kaka smiled bitterly but did not speak.

Finally, it was Zhang Jun’s turn.

Zhang Jun asked Kaka. “Will we meet again?”

Kaka then asked Zhang Jun. “Will you still play soccer?”

“I will!”

“Then there’s your answer” Kaka smiled. “As long as you are still playing, and I’m still playing, we will definitely meet again. So don’t be sad. It’s goodbye for now, but not forever.”

“As long as you’re still playing, and I’m still playing, we will surely see each other again.” Zhang Jun smiled thinking that he found another reason not to give up.

After Kaka received his graduation certificate, he returned to Brazil. His father had supposedly found him a soccer club in Sao Paulo for him to tryout. It should not be a problem for him to get into the team with his abilities.

An Ke had also completed his arrangements to go to Germany with the help of his family. His flight to Beijing was on that morning but An Ke refused for any of them to send him off. He said he would be hostile towards anyone that sent him off. An Ke said this to them on the way back after sending Kaka off. Zhang Jun saw him turning his face away and wiping it after he said that.

Ren Yu De never came back after receiving his graduation certificate. He wanted to take over his father’s business and said that there would be very few opportunities for him to continue playing soccer. There was no choice as he need to learn how to do business. However, Ren Yu De never completely gave up soccer. “I loved playing soccer since I learned how to run. It has been more than ten years. Do you think I would give it up so easily?” These were his words.

Zhang Jun then remembered another person.

Last Sunday, Su Fei had dragged Zhang Jun out for a stroll. Yang Pan tactlessly volunteered to be a third wheel.

As a result, they met Li Yongle, Zhang Yang and Zhang Lintao on the streets. It was the umpteenth time that they have met on the streets. Zhang Jun sighed in his heart. “Just can’t seem to get rid of them!”

The six of them then sat comfortably in a teahouse and chatted casually.

“You guys seem so laid back. Aren’t you guys going to college?” Su Fei asked the three people opposite her.

“Nope.” Zhang Yang shook his head. “I have already decided to enlist in the army in the second half of the year.”